Ride On Toy

ABSTRACT

A ride on toy (10) comprising a vehicle body (12) having front and rear wheels (18). A seat (16) is provided on an upper surface of the body (120 on which a child can sit and a cleaning unit (14) is releasably secured to the vehicle body. The cleaning unit (14) is secured to the vehicle body (12) between the front and rear wheels (18) and includes a housing (38) having an internal chamber (46) such that the cleaning unit (14) picks up particulate matter from the floor while the toy (10) is moving and deposits it into the internal chamber (46).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a ride on toy for children.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Ride on toys which comprise a small vehicle on which a child can sit are common. Such toys generally consist of a three or four wheeled vehicle having a seat on an upper surface such that the child can straddle the vehicle while sitting on the seat and then push the vehicle along the ground by pushing off the floor.

The present invention relates to a ride on toy having additional features to allow the toy to also perform a cleaning function while in use. The ride on toy can pick up particulate matter from the ground while the toy is in use and store this inside a chamber within the toy which can be easily removed and emptied as required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a ride on toy comprising:

a vehicle body having front and rear wheels; a seat provided on an upper surface of the body on which a child can sit in a position in which the child can propel the vehicle by pushing on the floor; and a cleaning unit releasably secured to the vehicle body; wherein the cleaning unit is secured to the vehicle body between the front and rear wheels and includes a housing having an internal chamber such that the cleaning unit picks up particulate matter from the floor while the toy is moving and deposits it into the internal chamber.

Preferably the housing includes an openable cover which may be opened to empty particulate matter from the internal chamber.

Preferably the vehicle body includes a downwardly extending cavity into which is mounted the cleaning unit.

Preferably the vehicle body comprises an upper wall and downwardly extending front, rear and side walls to define the cavity in a lower side of the vehicle body.

In one embodiment, the cavity includes a pair of projections extending downwardly from the upper wall of the body and the housing includes upwardly extending clips having lugs on distal ends to engage into recesses on inner surfaces of the projections in a snap fit manner to locate the housing between the projections.

In one embodiment, the cleaning unit includes a rotating brush such that movement of the vehicle body rotates the brush such that the brush picks up particulate matter from the floor.

Preferably the brush comprises a cylindrical brush mounted for rotation about a central longitudinal axis thereof being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body.

Preferably the cleaning unit comprises a housing including an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion and an edge wall portion extending between the upper and lower wall portions and wherein the brush is mounted for rotation within an elongate opening extending across the lower wall portion.

Preferably the brush includes a central shaft, ends of which are mounted into holes provided on opposite sides of the edge wall portion.

Preferably the cleaning unit is provided with drive wheels secured adjacent ends of the shaft such that the drive wheels engage with the ground in use and with a further wheel provided on the shaft so that movement of the vehicle body causes rotation of the drive wheels and thereby rotation of the brush about its central longitudinal axis.

Preferably a pair of drive wheels is provided adjacent each end of the shaft on inner sides of the edge wall, each of the drive wheels comprising a disk having a ring with an outer tread secured around a periphery of the disk such that each pair of drive wheels engages with opposed sides of the further wheel.

In a further embodiment, the drive wheels are mounted adjacent outer surfaces of the edge wall of the housing and engage with wheels of the ride on ride on toy such that rotation of the wheels causes rotation of the drive wheels and therefore rotation of the brush.

In another embodiment, the cleaning unit includes a vacuum unit mounted within a housing such that the vacuum unit draws air inwardly through an opening in the housing adjacent the floor.

Preferably the vacuum unit includes an electric motor provided to rotate a fan such that air is drawn in through the opening.

Preferably the housing comprises a main body and a nozzle portion, the main body being mounted within a cavity in a lower surface of the body and the nozzle portion extending downwardly and forwardly from the main body and including the opening in a lower end thereof.

Preferably the lower end of the nozzle portion is oriented generally parallel to the ground in use.

Preferably the nozzle portion is removable to allow emptying of the internal chamber of the housing.

In one embodiment, the body includes a leg extending downwardly within the cavity adjacent a rear of the body, the leg including a ground engaging portion extending rearwardly from a lower end thereof.

In one embodiment, the lower wall portion of the housing comprises first and second covers defining the opening and being pivotable between a closed position and an open position such that when moved to the open position particulate matter captured within the chamber may fall outwardly from the housing.

Preferably the seat includes a seat cover pivotally mounted to the upper wall such that the seat cover is pivotable between a closed position in which a recess in the upper wall is closed off and an open position in which the recess is accessible.

In one embodiment, a pressure switch is provided beneath the seat cover such that the pressure switch disconnects power to the vacuum unit when pressure is released from the seat cover so that the vacuum unit is automatically switched off when a child is not sitting on the seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a ride on toy in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the toy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a lower perspective view of the toy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the toy of FIG. 1 showing the cleaning unit removed from the vehicle body;

FIG. 5 is a lower perspective view of the toy of FIG. 1 showing the cleaning unit removed from the vehicle body;

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the toy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of the cleaning unit of the toy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a lower perspective view of the cleaning unit of the toy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the toy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the cleaning unit of the toy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an upper perspective view of the toy of FIG. 1 showing seat cover in an open position;

FIG. 12 is an upper perspective view of a second embodiment of a ride on toy in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a lower perspective view of the toy of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the toy of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the toy of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a side cross sectional view of the toy of FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the toy of FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 is an upper perspective view of the toy of FIG. 12 with the cleaning unit removed;

FIG. 19 is a lower perspective view of the toy of FIG. 12 with the cleaning unit removed;

FIG. 20 is an upper perspective view of the cleaning unit of the ride on toy of FIG. 12;

FIG. 21 is a lower perspective view of the cleaning unit; and

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the cleaning unit;

FIG. 23 is a lower perspective view of a third embodiment of a ride on toy in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 24 is an upper perspective view of the toy of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a side view of the toy of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the toy of FIG. 23;

FIG. 27 is an upper perspective view of the toy of FIG. 23 showing the cleaning unit removed from the vehicle body;

FIG. 28 is a lower perspective view of the toy of FIG. 23 showing the cleaning unit removed from the vehicle body;

FIG. 29 is an exploded view of the toy of FIG. 23;

FIG. 30 is a side cross-sectional view of the toy of FIG. 23;

FIG. 31 is an upper perspective view of the cleaning unit of the toy of FIG. 23;

FIG. 32 is a lower perspective view of the cleaning unit; and

FIG. 33 is a lower perspective view of the cleaning unit showing the covers in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, there is shown a toy 10 comprising a vehicle body 12 and a cleaning unit 14. The vehicle body 12 includes a seat 16 on an upper surface thereof. The seat 16 is positioned on the upper surface of the vehicle body 12 such that a child may sit on the seat 16 while straddling the vehicle body 12. The vehicle body 12 includes a plurality of wheels 18 such that the toy 10 may be propelled along the ground by a child sitting on the seat 16 and pushing against the floor with their feet.

In the embodiment shown, the vehicle body 12 comprises generally an upper wall 20, front and rear walls 22 and 23 at opposed ends of the vehicle body 12 and first and second side walls 24 and 25 extending between ends of the front and rear walls 22 and 23. The front and rear walls 22 and 23 and the first and second side walls 24 and 25 extend generally downwardly from the periphery of the upper wall 20. The upper wall 20, the front and rear walls 22 and 23 and the first and second side walls 24 and 25 thereby define a cavity 26 in a lower side of the vehicle body 12.

In the embodiment shown, a pair of wheels 18 is connected to a front axle 28 and a further pair of wheels 18 is connected to a rear axle 29. A steering column 30 extends downwardly through an opening in the upper wall 20 of the vehicle body 12 adjacent the front end. An upper end of the steering column 30 is connected to a steering wheel 32 and a lower end of the steering column 30 is connected to the front axle 28, such that rotating the steering wheel 32 rotates the front axle 28, thereby allowing steering of the toy 10. The rear axle 29 is supported by support members extending downwardly from within the cavity 26 such that the rear axle 29 is supported to extend transversely to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle body 12.

The upper wall 20 of the vehicle body 12 is provided with a recess 34. The seat 16 comprises a seat cover 36 mounted to extend across the recess 34 and which is pivotally connected to the vehicle body 12 such that the seat cover 36 is pivotable between a closed position (as shown in FIG. 1) in which the recess 34 is closed off, and an open position (as shown in FIG. 11) in which the recess 34 is accessible.

The cleaning unit 14 is connected to the vehicle body 12 such that the cleaning unit 14 is supported adjacent the floor. The cleaning unit 14 comprises a housing 38 connectable to the vehicle body 12 within the cavity 26. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 11 the cleaning unit 14 is operated to collect particulate matter from the floor mechanically by movement of the ride on toy 10 along the floor.

The housing 38 of the cleaning unit 14 comprises generally a lower wall portion 40, an upper wall portion 42 and an edge wall portion 44 extending from the periphery of the lower wall portion 40 to the periphery of the upper wall portion 42. The lower wall portion 40, the upper wall portion 42 and the edge wall portion 44 thereby define an internal chamber 46 within the housing 38.

The cleaning unit 14 includes also a brush 50. The brush 50 comprises a cylindrical brush mounted for rotation about a central longitudinal axis thereof. The brush 50 is mounted for rotation within an elongate opening 48 extending across the lower wall portion 40 of the housing 38 such that the central longitudinal axis of the brush 50 is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body 12. The brush 50 includes a central shaft 52, ends of which are mounted into holes provided on opposite sides of the edge wall portion 44.

The cleaning unit 14 includes drive wheels 56 mounted to the housing 38 on inner surfaces of opposed sides of the edge wall 44. In the embodiment shown, there is provided a pair of drive wheels 56 on each side of the edge wall 44. The drive wheels 56 are mounted such that the drive wheels 56 engage with the ground in use and are connected to the brush 50 such that rotation of the drive wheels 56 when the toy 10 moves along the ground causes rotation of the brush 50.

Each of the drive wheels 56 comprises a disk 90 having a ring 91 mounted around the periphery thereof. The ring 91 comprises a flexible material having tread thereon to provide better grip when engaging with the floor. The disks 90 are mounted to inner surfaces of the edge wall 44 for rotation about an axis extending between opposed sides of the edge wall 44.

The central shaft 52 of the brush 50 includes further wheels 92 on ends thereof. The further wheels 92 are each located between a pair of the drive wheels 56 such that edges of the drive wheels 56 engage with the edges of the further wheels 92. Rotation of the drive wheels 56 thereby rotate the brush 50 as the ride on toy 10 moves along the ground.

The brush 50 includes bristles which engage with the floor and which are arranged to trap particulate matter resting on the floor such that the particulate matter is captured between the bristles and rotated upwardly into the chamber 46 in the housing 38. The brush 50 is also arranged such that the particulate matter is removed from the bristles of the brush 50 within the chamber 46 to be captured within the chamber 46.

The housing 38 of the cleaning unit 14 includes one or more openable covers. The covers may be opened to allow access to the internal chamber 46 for emptying of the chamber 46. In the embodiment shown, the lower wall portion 40 of the housing 38 comprises first and second covers 70. The first and second covers 70 extends across between lower edges of the edge wall portion 44 and are separated to define the opening 48. Each of the first and second covers 70 is pivotable between a closed position and an open position. The covers 70 when moved to the open position allow particulate matter captured within the chamber 46 to fall outwardly from the housing 38.

The housing 38 of the cleaning unit 14 is attachable to and removable from the vehicle body 12. The cavity 26 is provided with first and second projections 80 extending downwardly towards the ground, between which the cleaning unit 14 may be engaged. The projections 80 include recesses 84 on inner surfaces thereof and the housing 38 includes a pair of clips 62 extending upwardly from the upper surface 42 thereof. The clips 62 include outwardly facing lugs 64 on distal ends to engage into the recesses 84 on inner surfaces of the projections 80 in a snap fit manner.

The upper surface 42 of the housing 38 includes also a handle 94 to allow the cleaning unit 14 to be easily held. In the embodiment shown, the clips 62 are secured adjacent opposed ends of the handle 94.

A leg 58 is provided adjacent the rear wall 23 such that the leg 58 extends downwardly towards the floor within the cavity 26. A lower end of the leg 58 is provided with a ground engaging portion 68. The ground engaging portion 68 extends transversely from the lower end of the leg 58 in a rearward direction. The ground engaging portion 68 is provided to engage with the ground should the vehicle body 12 tip backwardly to restrict the likelihood of a child tipping off the back of the toy 10.

FIGS. 23 to 33 show an alternative embodiment of a ride on toy 10 in accordance with the present invention. The embodiment of FIGS. 23 to 33 is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 11 and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 23 to 33, the drive wheels 56 engage with the wheels 18 such that the drive wheels 56 are rotated by rotation of the wheels 18. The drive wheels 56 are secured to ends of the shaft 52 on outer sides of the edge wall portion 44 of the housing 38. The cleaning unit 14 is mounted relative to the vehicle body 12 such that the drive wheels 56 engage with the rear wheels 18. Movement of the vehicle body 12 therefore causes rotation of the drive wheels 56 and rotation of the brush 50 about its central longitudinal axis.

In the embodiment shown, the leg 58 includes a foot 60 extending transversely to a lower end thereof. The foot 60 extends from the lower end of the leg 58 in a direction towards the front of the vehicle body 12. A flexible clip 62 is provided also extending downwardly within the cavity 26 forwardly of the leg 58. In the embodiment shown, the flexible clip 62 extends downwardly from a lower surface of the recess 34. The flexible clip 62 includes a transverse lug 64 on a distal end thereof. The housing 38 of the cleaning unit 14 is attachable to the vehicle body 12 by resting a rear side thereof on an upper surface of the foot 60 and lifting a front side thereof upwardly such that the transverse lug 64 engages over a protrusion 66 provided on the edge wall portion 44 of the housing 38 adjacent the front side thereof. The flexible clip 62 also biases the housing 38 to move rearwardly to keep the drive wheels 56 in engagement with the rear wheels 18.

FIGS. 12 to 22 show a further embodiment of a ride on toy 10 in accordance with the present invention. The toy 10 of FIGS. 12 to 30 is similar to the previously described embodiments and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 12 to 22, the cleaning unit 14 also comprises a housing 38 mounted within the lower cavity 26 of the body 12. The cleaning unit 10 however includes a vacuum unit 72 having a motor 74 such that the motor 74 drives a fan to draw air inwardly into the housing 38 through the opening 48. The opening 48 is located adjacent the floor in use such that the cleaning unit 14 draws particulate matter from the floor into the housing 38. The motor 74 is powered by one or more batteries which may be replaceable or rechargeable.

The housing 38 comprises a main body 76 and a nozzle portion 78. The main body 76 is mounted within the cavity 26 of the body 12 of the toy 10 and the nozzle portion 78 extends downwardly from the main body 76. The nozzle portion 78 extends downwardly and forwardly such that a lower end 79 thereof is adjacent the ground. The lower end 79 is oriented generally parallel to the ground in use and includes the opening 48 such that the opening 48 is located adjacent the floor in use.

The nozzle portion 78 is releasably detachable from the main body 76 such that detachment of the nozzle portion 78 provides access to the internal chamber 46 for emptying. The nozzle portion 78 therefore comprises the openable cover in this embodiment.

The cavity 26 of the body 12 includes a connection mechanism to allow the housing 38 to be releasably attached to the body 12. In the embodiment shown, the cavity includes a pair of downwardly extending projections 80 similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 11. The main body 76 of the housing 38 includes a pair of upwardly extending clips 62 on opposes sides therefore to be received in use between the projections 80. The clips 62 include lugs 64 on outer surfaces thereof thereon to engage into recesses 84 on inner surfaces of the projections 80 in a snap fit manner to secure the housing 38 between the projections 80.

The toy 10 includes a power switch which may be activated to operate the vacuum unit 72. The power switch may comprise a button, switch, or rotatable key provided on the upper surface of the body 12. A pressure switch may also be provided beneath the seat cover 36 such that the pressure switch disconnects power to the vacuum unit 72 when pressure is released from the seat cover 36. Therefore, the vacuum unit 72 may be automatically switched off when a child is not sitting on the seat 16.

It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
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 22. A ride on toy comprising: a vehicle body having front and rear wheels; a seat provided on an upper surface of the body on which a child can sit in a position in which the child can propel the vehicle by pushing on the floor; and a cleaning unit releasably secured to the vehicle body; wherein the cleaning unit is secured to the vehicle body between the front and rear wheels and includes a housing having an internal chamber such that the cleaning unit picks up particulate matter from the floor while the toy is moving and deposits it into the internal chamber.
 23. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 22, wherein the housing includes an openable cover which may be opened to empty particulate matter from the internal chamber.
 24. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 22, wherein the vehicle body includes a downwardly extending cavity into which is mounted the cleaning unit.
 25. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 24, wherein the vehicle body comprises an upper wall and downwardly extending front, rear and side walls to define the cavity in a lower side of the vehicle body.
 26. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 25, wherein the cavity includes a pair of projections extending downwardly from the upper wall of the body and the housing includes upwardly extending clips having lugs on distal ends to engage into recesses on inner surfaces of the projections in a snap fit manner to locate the housing between the projections.
 27. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 22, wherein the cleaning unit includes a rotating brush such that movement of the vehicle body rotates the brush such that the brush picks up particulate matter from the floor.
 28. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 27, wherein the brush comprises a cylindrical brush mounted for rotation about a central longitudinal axis thereof being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body.
 29. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 28, wherein the cleaning unit comprises a housing including an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion and an edge wall portion extending between the upper and lower wall portions and wherein the brush is mounted for rotation within an elongate opening extending across the lower wall portion.
 30. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 29, wherein the brush includes a central shaft, ends of which are mounted into holes provided on opposite sides of the edge wall portion.
 31. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 30, wherein the cleaning unit is provided with drive wheels secured adjacent ends of the shaft such that the drive wheels engage with the ground in use and with a further wheel provided on the shaft so that movement of the vehicle body causes rotation of the drive wheels and thereby rotation of the brush about its central longitudinal axis.
 32. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 31, wherein a pair of drive wheels is provided adjacent each end of the shaft on inner sides of the edge wall, each of the drive wheels comprising a disk having a ring with an outer tread secured around a periphery of the disk such that each pair of drive wheels engages with opposed sides of the further wheel.
 33. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 30, wherein the drive wheels are mounted adjacent outer surfaces of the edge wall of the housing and engage with wheels of the ride on ride on toy such that rotation of the wheels causes rotation of the drive wheels and therefore rotation of the brush.
 34. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 29, wherein the cleaning unit includes a vacuum unit mounted within a housing such that the vacuum unit draws air inwardly through an opening in the housing adjacent the floor.
 35. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 34, wherein the vacuum unit includes an electric motor provided to rotate a fan such that air is drawn in through the opening.
 36. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 35, wherein the housing comprises a main body and a nozzle portion, the main body being mounted within a cavity in a lower surface of the body and the nozzle portion extending downwardly and forwardly from the main body and including the opening in a lower end thereof.
 37. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 36, wherein the lower end of the nozzle portion is oriented generally parallel to the ground in use.
 38. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 36, wherein the nozzle portion is removable to allow emptying of the internal chamber of the housing.
 39. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 22, wherein the body includes a leg extending downwardly within the cavity adjacent a rear of the body, the leg including a ground engaging portion extending rearwardly from a lower end thereof.
 40. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 27, wherein the lower wall portion of the housing comprises first and second covers defining the opening and being pivotable between a closed position and an open position such that when moved to the open position particulate matter captured within the chamber may fall outwardly from the housing.
 41. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 34, wherein the seat includes a seat cover pivotally mounted to the upper wall such that the seat cover is pivotable between a closed position in which a recess in the upper wall is closed off and an open position in which the recess is accessible.
 42. The ride on toy in accordance with claim 41, wherein a pressure switch is provided beneath the seat cover such that the pressure switch disconnects power to the vacuum unit when pressure is released from the seat cover so that the vacuum unit is automatically switched off when a child is not sitting on the seat. 